Affiliate Marketing

I've been looking in to how to improve my Google Adwords results, and finding pay per click gurus everywhere!

There seems to be this incredible amount of software programmes for improving your results, for making '$30,000 a month using this incredible system' and the like. My favourite so far has been the site that has the following client endorsement:

'just two words for this programme: simple and incredibly powerful'.

Darn, I hope he can market better than he can count! I have now looked at quite a few of these 'get rich quick' programmes and their promises of instant top ranking on Google, of improved click through (but what about conversion?) and the fortune to be had by letting that left mouse button take decisive action over that attractive and much repeated 'Buy Now!' graphic.

I think I have worked out how it does make money. You sign up, and realise that the main product you can actually sell and make money on is the one you just bought. 'Hell, I just paid $40 dollars for this heap of... if I bought it, there must be lots of others out there just the same.'

Now that isn't to say there aren't some really powerful and helpful tools out there, but how do you choose the right one?

I don't trust the testimonials, nine times out of ten you click through and find they are an affiliate marketer too - it's not as if you end up on an ecommerce site which sells consumer goods or business services. Hence my extreme suspicion.

I've looked at affiliate marketing for other programmes too - not just internet based tools. One that I have actually signed up to sells a range of self-help and self-improvement tools and, having purchased some myself, I have to say they are pretty good.

That was where I first came across the 'affiliate format'. The letter-like layout, the little box that appears offering you a free sample or course and the use of mixed text sizes, unlikely graphics (such as one Google genius having a photo of himself which was a rather hunky young blond chap without his shirt on!) and customer voice overs and videos, letters of commendation and reporting 'fantastic results', 'I don't have to do a full time job any more'...

The internet is an incredible place. But I can't help but feel wary of the affiliate marketing world - it's almost like some weird cult that, once it has drawn you in, compels you to draw others in too. Yes yes... I know that's what 'affiliate marketing' is about - but I've yet to see any proof of the cash benefits that these Google-related* programmes promise.

The only person I know who does seem to have reaped the benefits of an effective affiliate marketing platform is Karl Moore. I will ask him for his comment on this post and see what he says.

Am I cynical? Perhaps, but there's only so many emails/websites/banner ads that you can read that promise you 'life changing results' before the natural caution gene converts to cynicism.


* None of the affiliate marketing programmes I have looked at are from Google themselves. Google and Adwords are Trademarks of Google.